Arlington, Virginia — Trout Unlimited (TU) applauds Gov. Andrew Cuomo for signing a state water withdrawal bill into law earlier this week, protecting New York's vast water resources.

The law, signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on August 16, will require a user seeking to withdraw 100,000 gallons or more per day from any waters in the state to obtain a permit from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The law also requires the DEC to create stream flow regulations that will protect stream flows for fish and wildlife, as well as other users who rely on the state's water resources.

"Gov. Cuomo has taken a critical step towards protecting thousands of rivers streams in New York. As a result, this law will provide much-needed protections for fish and aquatic life," said Katy Dunlap, Eastern Water Project Director for Trout Unlimited. "Now, it is up to the DEC to create regulations that protect streams from the anticipated significant demands on the state's water resources when Marcellus Shale drilling is permitted in New York."

New York has 60,000 miles of streams and rivers that provide over 20 million residents with drinking water and support habitat for a wealth of fish and wildlife. TU's 2008 report, Tapped Out, examines the pressures on state water resources.

Trout Unlimited is the nation's largest coldwater conservation organization, with 140,000 members dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring North America's trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds.